Spindle bumper and impact nose therefor



Nov. 4, 1952 y 1: im AHLSTRAND 2,616,454

SPINDLE BUMPER AND IMPACT NQSETl'lEREFORv Invweor Nov.` 4, 1952 DQ. A, HLSTRAND SPINDLE BUMPER AND MPACT NOSE THREFOR 2 Siu-lEETS-Sl-IEET 2 Filed Aug. 18, 1951 Patented Nov. 4, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT' OFFICE SPIN-DLEBUMPER AND IMPACTv NOSE THEREFOR Davidz A'. Ahlstrand, Atlanta., Ga.

ApplicatonAugust I8, 1951,SeriaLNo. 242,553"

The invention` relates?. to.- an improvement. in spindle bumpers-for textile. machinery, and has for one purpose tolprovideaspindle bumper of increased life and eiciency.'.

Another purpose is-to provide. a` spindle bumper in which breaking under wear is. reduced to a minimum.

Another purpose is tor provide .a `spindle bumper in which relativelysmall pieces. of inexpensive material may be employed. Y

Another purpose is to providev aspindle bumper in which, upon breakageor' wear, only part of the spindle bumper structureneedbe replaced.

Another purpose is to provide aspindleV bumper, the cost of which is substantially reduced inrelation to the spindle bumpers in current use.

Another purpose is to provide-1ay spindle bumper which mayl be formed of awideyariety oi material, including' plasticsV textiles, rubber and rubber substitutes, in a variety of combinations.

Another purpose isto provide an improved impact nose for spindlebumpers. which has maximum life and wear and impact-resisting characteristics.

Other purposes will appear from time to time in the course of the specification and claims.

The present application is a continuation-in-l part my copending application Serial No. iB-5,886, `filed September 20, 1950, for Spindle Bumpers. i

I illustrate invention more or less diagrammatically in the accompanyingdrawings wherein:

Figure l is a side elevation of one embodiment of my invention;

`Figure 2 is a side elevation of another`"embodi ment of my invention;

Figure 3 is a side elevation of a third embodiment of my invention;

Figure 4 is a side elevationof a fourth embodiment of my invention;

TS'igure 5 is a side elevation-ofV a fth embodiment of my invention; and

Figure 6 is an en'd elevation'of the structure shown in Figure 5.

Like parts are indicated by` like symbols throughout the speciiication and drawings.

Since I do not claimany noveltyr in the mechanism on which the spindle` bumper` isv used, I illustrate herein only thespindlelbumperv structure itself.

Referring to the drawings, I indicates an applicator. The applicator has for its purpose to apply the bumper structure to the spindle itself. The applicator may be made of any suitable material, preferably .ofa cheap material, s'. that.

2,. ifsdesired, the applicator` may be thrown away after use. It enables. the bumper structure to beeasily applied to the spindle. The spindle is not herein shown, but the applicator can be taken as typical ofa rod or spindle. structure upon which the bumper is positioned during use. In application, the conic. recess 2 of the applicator i is placed over the conic end of the machine shaft, and the strap-s are pushed off of the applicator shaft and onto the machine shaft. On the spindle, the bumper parts are positioned as shown on the applicator in the drawings herein.

It will be understood that the bumper, when used in textile weaving, absorbs the shock which, inmachines now'available, is absorbed by a unitary strap formed in a plurality of bends. In the use of the, iorms of my invention, in Figures l and,V 2,no piece of material is subjected to more than one bend. Taking, for example, the form of Figure l, I provide a plurality of relatively shortstraps 3, each of which is bent to form a U, having, in its opposite arms, apertures 3a and Sb. These apertures are of sufficient size to permit the U-shaped: bent straps 3 to be applied readily tothe applicator l, being passed over its tapered end la. I nd it advantageous, in the members 3, to employ pieces. ory strapswhich, if desired, may be arranged in multiple plies. I illustrate, inFigure 1, `theseparate plies 3 and 3c, but, if desired,V more than twoplies may be employed, depending-upon the material used. The plies may be connectedby cementingrby sewing, or by any other-suitable means, or, if desired, theplies may be left uncoated. I may. employ multiple plies of any suitable plastic, including, but not limited to. nylon I may employ` rubber, or any suitable rubber substitute. Under some circumstances, it may be advantageous to employ leather, either alone or in connection with a ply orvplies of rubber or some. other substance. In the present application I emphasize, primarily, the form .rather than the substance of the various pieces employed. f

In the.` form or" Figure 1,.I illustrate, for example, ve U-bent short pieces or straps arranged in interpenetrating relationship, with the arms ofthe `Us at one side of the applicator I entering; the folds of the Us at-the opposite side of the applicator. Where three ofthe Us are ernployed, as in Figure 1, I maintain the individual straps. or parts properly positioned by using any suitable intermediate blocks or bits 4 within the foldsof the endmembers of the series of Us. Each such blockl 4 may be madev rectangular, or of-any othersuitableform, and'may be'apertured,

as at 4a, to be readily applied to the applicator. The parts are' so dimensioned, when rectangularly formed, that the blocks 4 may be held against rotation by the adjacent bends of the U. I may also employ any suitable end blocks or washers r5, 5, with the apertures 5a.

The form of Figure l merely illustrates one satisfactory arrangement. In Figure 2, the individual U-shaped strap elements formed of the plies 6 and Ga are shown with their arms arranged in abutting relationship. I may find it advantageous to provide one or more intermediate or inner blocks or washers 1 Within the bend of each U. I also illustrate the terminal blocks or washers 8, as in the case of the form of Figure 1.

In the form of Figure 3, for the U-shaped members or short straps, I provide loops lll each having overlapping ends Illa and lllb. I diagrammatically indicates, at ille, any suitable additional three points, as at Idd, I4e and Mf, to permit the passage of the applicator l. The straps are then positioned in intertting arrangement, as shown in Figure 4, with the free end of each strap entering the bend of an adjacent strap. At the end bends, spacers l5 may be used. I6 indicate the end spacers.

In the form of Figures 5 and 6 the applicator l, with its tapered end la and its opposite end recess 2, is used as in the other forms. I provide, however, an impact nose which effects a transfer or distribution of energy When struck. In the form of Figures 5 and 6 I illustrate the general arrangement of interpenetrating Us or loops. These loops may be simple or compound. I illustrate, for example, three aligned loops, each one of which is formed by an inner member and an outer member 2|. While, under some circumstances, the individual elements might be connected or cemented or stapled, this is not necessary, and, as shown in Figure 5, I illustrate them as abutting but not as secured together otherwise than by their common alignment on or penetration by the applicator l. It will be understood, of course, that each one of the loop elements and of the below described washers is appropriately apertured to permit the passage of the applicator or spindle therethrough. While I may employ a variety of material, I illustrate the inner loop elements 20 as formed of rubber or a rubber substitute, with embedded textile layers. The outer elements 2| are shown as of leather. The open ends of the loops interpenetrate with the ends of an opposite series of tWo loops similarly formed of inner member and outer members 26. If desired, I may employ washers 2l wherever necessary.

I provide an impact receiving nose which may advantageously, but not necessarily, be formed of a different material than the rest of the structure. I illustrate, for example, a strip of chrome leather. This strip begins at a point 3| in Figure 5, and is looped about itself to form a closed loop shown as from two to three layers thick. The final layer, as at 32, abuts the adjacent end of one of the above-mentioned loops formed of elements 25 and 26, and enters the open bend of one of the loops formed by the members 20 and 2|. If necessary, I may position, within the member 30, one or more Washers 35.

The structure as shown provides a continuous overlap with no stitching or rivets. Under many circumstances, this is advantageous, but it is, nonetheless, possible to stitch or rivet the folds together, or to cement them. In any event. I form an end unit or impact nose portion, generally indicated as A in Figures 5 and 6, which is a single or complete unit, and which is a unit which does not break down into separate parts. This impact nose portion serves as a wiper, preventing lubricating oils from working back along the spindle into the body of the bumper as a whole. It keeps oil back on the spindle. But its basic purpose is to serve as a damper, to receive a traveling mass which may move at a rate as high as ninety miles per hour, and to bring it to a full stop With no bounce back. This function the nose, in connection with the rest of the bumper, performs ideally, with a minimum of wear and with great length of life.

It will be realized that whereas I have described and claimed a practical and operative device, nevertheless many changes may be made in size, shape, number and disposition of parts, and in materials used, Without departing from the spirit of my invention. I therefore Wish my description and drawings to be taken as in a broad sense illustrative or diagrammatic rather than as limiting me to my precise disclosure herein.

The use and operation of my invention are as follows:

In current weaving equipment it is customary to use spindle bumpers formed of a single piece. These pieces are hard to apply to the spindles, and break easily at the radius of the individual bends.

In the use of my invention I provide a structure Which efficiently absorbs the shocks which the spindle bumper has to absorb. In all of the embodiments illustrated, each individual piece or bumper strap is formed with an intermediate curvilinear portion and two end portions. My design maintains the radius of each piece and prevents a break in the radius. The radius is maintained by the interposition of the free ends of adjacent pieces, and, where necessary, by the insertion of spacers such as are shown in the various figures. This maintenance of radius assures continuation of the compression effect of the bent pieces. The use of short pieces in place of the for-mer one-piece element simplifies the replacement of worn or broken pieces. The form of Figure 1 has the advantage of reducing to a minimum the spacers, which are used in greater numbers inthe form of Figures 2 and 3. In other Words, the interpenetrating ends of the Us in the form of Figures l, 4, 5 and 6 themselves constitute spacers and reduce the necessity for using intermediate spacers.

It will be realized that I may employ multi-ply elements or pieces. In use, the bumper structure, as a whole, is supplied to the user on an applicator in which the individual parts `are positioned as they will be positioned on the spindle. The applicator is aligned with the spindle, and the parts are easily slid from the applicator upon the spindle. By using a relatively large number of small parts I find it simple and easy to move the parts from the applicator to the spindle, and to position them properly on the spindle. A minimum of force has to be applied, force entirely insuiiicient to damage the bumper.

The materials employed may be widely varied. I may employ a wide variety of suitable leathers or plastics or rubber, or a rubber substitute, with or without textile layers or reinforcements. In the form of Figures 5 and 6 I illustrate a particularly advantageous structure in which interpenetrating loop ends form a cushion which receives and damps the impact of the moving mechanism along the spindle without causing a throw-back or elastic return. The nose A is preferably of a single piece, with or without washers 35, and should be of a relatively tough material to receive the impact with a minimum of wear. As will be clear from Figure 5, a substantial series of abutting layers of tough resistant material are thus provided. The remaining loops, with their interpenetrating ends, are spaced along the spindle and are co-mpressed together by the movement against the nose A of a moving part o-f the textile machinery. Whereas the membel` I indicates an applicator spindle, it will be understood that the drawings illustrate the relative position or disposition of the parts on the spindle of the textile machine.

I claim:

1. In a spindle bumper structure and impact nose therefor, a multi-piece bumper body including a plurality o-f bent straps arranged in abutting relationship, said straps having each a pair of free ends, the free ends of the straps being apertured to receive a spindle, and being arranged in a plurality of abutting Us, and an impact nose abutting the outside free end of one of the bent straps, said impact nose inclu-ding a unitary strap formed into a flattened spiral with a spindle receiving aperture passing therethrough.

2. The structure of claim 1 characterized in that all the bends of the ilattened spiral abut.

3. The structure of claim 1 characterized in that all the bends of the attened spiral abut, and in the inclusion of one or more Washers within said spiral and abutting adjacent parts of the spiral.

4. The structure of claim 1 characterized in that the unitary strap has a free end extending between the free ends of the bent strap against which the impact nose abuts.

5. In a, spindle bumper structure, a multi-piece bumper including a plurality of bent straps arranged in abutting relationship, ea-ch such strap having a pair of free ends, and an intermediate curvilinear portion, each such strap having at least one end disposed adjacent the curvilinear portion of an adjacent str-ap, the free ends of all of said straps being apertured and being thereby adapted t-o be applied to a spindle, an impact nose abutting the outside free end of the terminal strap of said spindle bumper structure, said nose including a unitary strap formed into a flattened spiral of abutting bends, with a spindle-receiving laperture passing therethrough.

6. In a spindle bumper structure, a multi-piece bumper including a plurality of bent straps arranged in abutting relation-ship, each such strap having a pair of free ends, and an intermediate curvilinear portion, each such strap having at least one end disposed adjacent the curvilinear portion of an adjacent strap, the free ends of all of said straps being apertured and being thereby adapted to be applied to a spindle, an impact nose abutting the outside free end of the terminal strap of said spindle bumper structure, said nose including a unitary strap formed into a attened spiral of abutting ends with a spindl-e receiving aperture passing therethrough, said ilattencd spiral having an end portion extending between the free ends of the bent strap against which the impact nose abuts, said end being apertured to be applied to the spindle.

DAVID A. AHLSTRAND.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,499,596 Le-sesne Mar. 7, 1950 2,521,893 Bridges Sept. 12, 1950 2,532,543 Dodenhoi Dec. 5, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 49,082 France July 19, 1938 132,077 Great Britain Sept. 11, 1919 406,115 Great Britain Feb. 22, 1934 578,925 France July 18, 1924 

